NMAC: Controversial UFC decision stands

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Count it as another decision in New Mexico that didn’t go Ross Pearson’s way.

The New Mexico Athletic Commission ruled that the controversial decision that gave Diego Sanchez the win at this month’s UFC event in Albuquerque will stand.

Pearson had appealed after a widely criticized split decision went against him. The three-round fight was scored 30-27 Pearson by one judge, 30-27 Sanchez by another and 29-28 Sanchez by a third judge.

Afterward, UFC President Dana White called the decision “insanity” and said the UFC would act as if Pearson won the fight. Some called the decision one of the worst judging calls in UFC history.

Pearson’s camp appealed to the NMAC to get the decision reversed or at least changed to a no decision.

In a unanimous vote, the NMAC opted against changing the decision Wednesday night.

“Just to say that someone’s decision we didn’t like it so we’re going to change it. We’re not in that business and we’re not going to get in that business,” said NMAC commission chair Tim King.

“It’s a Pandora’s box that we absolutely don’t want to open,” said NMAC commissioner Rob DeBuck.

Because there was no evidence of corruption and no clear foul the referee missed that influenced the result, King says the commission could not take action anyway.

“Basically the conclusion we came to is with our statutes and rules we couldn’t change the decision,” King said.

“Like the old adage is if you don’t want it to go to the [judges], then knock him out,” DeBuck said.

The NMAC is considering implementing a new system to judge the judges in the wake of the controversy.